Peter Ludlow, the Northwestern University philosophy professor accused by two students of sexual harassment and assault, has resigned in the middle of his termination proceedings. Ludlow had been the center of two contentious Title IX investigations. The allegations filed by two students—one undergraduate and one graduate—attracted intense scrutiny of the university and its handling of Title IX complaints. It also brought to light the larger problem of sexual harassment that seems to plague philosophy departments; from incidents at the University of Colorado to the University of Miami.
In 2012, a 19-year-old female student filed a complaint against Ludlow claiming that he had gotten her drunk and kissed and groped her she was passed out. The University found in the student’s favor, but despite their findings, the tenured Ludlow continued to teach and, apparently, was not disciplined at all. In 2014, that same student filed a lawsuit against Northwestern claiming the school violated Title IX. A federal judge ruled against the student, writing that the school “took timely, reasonable, and successful measures” after the complaint was filed.